Anyone can be affected by gum problems. If you floss your teeth vigorously, you may find that your gums turn red, become swollen, and even bleed. Your gums should recover quickly from vigorous flossing. However, if you notice that your swollen or bleeding gums last for several days or longer, there may be an issue.
If your gums are swollen or sensitive for a long period of time, you may have gum disease. While gum disease is a common issue, there are other reasons your gums may be swollen or bleeding. Some of these reasons include a bleeding disorder, pregnancy or hormonal changes, incorrect flossing, wearing dentures that do not fit, blood thinner medications, smoking, and vitamin deficiency.
In order to protect your gums from swelling and bleeding, you should make sure that you brush for at least two minutes twice a day and floss at least once a day. When you brush your teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and short, gentle strokes.
Flossing correctly involves curving the floss around each tooth in a “C” shape and moving it up and down gently. It’s important that you use a new piece of floss for each tooth to avoid transferring plaque around. Since flossing removes plaque and debris, it’s essential to reducing gum disease risk.
Schedule an Appointment at Wainright & Wassel DDS
If your gums remain swollen or are bleeding days after you’ve flossed, you should schedule an appointment in Raleigh, NC at Wainright & Wassel DDS by calling 919.847.1322. We will take a close look at your gums and let you know if there are any issues.